Ellen G. White and Her Critics

A Publisher of Conybeare and Howson Book Testifies

If no American publisher had a legal claim to the Conybeare and Howson book, and if no English publisher could make lawful claim against the American publishers of the book, how could there conceivably be even a shadow of a foundation for the story of a threatened lawsuit against Mrs. White and her publishers who simply took quotations from the book? EGWC 455.1

On January 15, 1924, C. E. Holmes, who for some years was an employee of the Review and Herald publishing house, wrote the following letter to the T. Y. Crowell Company in New York: EGWC 455.2

“T. Y. Crowell Co., EGWC 455.3

New York City. EGWC 455.4

“Messrs: EGWC 455.5

“Some years ago you published a book entitled ‘Life and Epistles of the Apostle Paul.’ In 1883 a book was printed by the Review and Herald Publishing Co., of Battle Creek, Mich., entitled ‘Sketches from the Life of Paul.’ For a long time it has been claimed that because of a similarity of ideas and words in several instances in this book, you at one time threatened prosecution unless the book was withdrawn from circulation. EGWC 455.6

“This report is now being scattered about in printed form and I should be pleased to know if there is any truth in it. Any information that you can give me regarding this matter will be greatly appreciated. EGWC 455.7

“Respectfully yours,
“[Signed] C. E. Holmes.”

On January 18, 1924, the Crowell Company replied to him as follows: EGWC 457.1

“Mr. C. E. Holmes EGWC 457.2

511 North Grove Ave. EGWC 457.3

Oak Park, Ill. EGWC 457.4

“Dear Sir:— EGWC 457.5

“Your letter of Jan. 15th received. We publish Conybeare’s LIFE AND EPISTLES OF THE APOSTLE PAUL but this is not a copyrighted book and we would have no legal grounds for action against your book and we do not think that we have ever raised any objection or made any claim such as you speak of. EGWC 457.6

“We shall be very glad to see the printed matter to which you refer. EGWC 457.7

“Very truly yours,
“THOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY,
“[Signed] T. I. C.”

Every other American publisher of the Conybeare and Howson book would have had to make the same admission: “no legal grounds for action.” EGWC 457.8